NHL insider links Flames Jacob Markstrom to two NHL Canadian cities

It appeared a few months ago that New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald was close to a deal with flames general manager Craig Conroy in landing the 34-year-old netminder. After asking him to waive his no trade clause, the deal was halted by flames ownership which sent the Internet ablaze with interviews rumors and many more sound bites.

Friedman states that the Flames are trying to do things as quietly as possible this time around Anne with the Devils still in the mix to landing Markstrom, he mentioned that the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa senators are both teams that have strong interest.

With the likelihood of Ilya Samsonov departing the Maple Leafs and Joseph Woll as the up-and-coming starter of the team but riddled with injury problems, the Maple Leafs are looking for an upgrade in net and many feel including Friedman that Markstrom may be the solution.

The Senators are also looking for goalie help. As their young core continues to develop, the senators are looking for stability in net which gives the remainder of the team a chance to develop some offensive push and score more goals.

Markstrom had a good season with the flames even though the team was in turmoil. He played 48 games and had a record of 23-23-2 with 2.78 goals against and a save percentage of .905 with two shutouts.

It's safe to say the likelihood of Markstrom returning in the flames organization next season is all but zero but we'll see which team will land him as he will bolster their back end.